NUKUALOFA, Tonga (Matangi Tonga, May 31, 2012) – A continued decline of Tonga's foreign currency earnings has stifled the growth of the Tongan economy, the Governor of the National Reserve Bank of Tonga, Mrs. Siosi Mafi said this morning, May 31.

Foreign remittances from overseas Tongans, the main source of Tonga's foreign currency earning had declined by TOP$32.2 million [US$17.9 million] in a year Tonga's total remittances for the year at the end of March 2012 was TOP$122.4 million [US$68 million], and TOP$32.2 million less than at the end of March 2011, she said.

To boost Tonga's foreign currency earnings, there had been attempts to revitalize Tonga's main export industries, Agriculture, Fisheries and Tourism, which are in desperate need of government financial assistance, and private sector investments to put them back into commercial operation.

SAIPAN, CNMI (Saipan Tribune, June 1, 2012) – The CNMI House of Representatives failed to override yesterday the governor's veto of a bill allowing non-retired members of the NMI Retirement Fund to withdraw up to 50 percent of their contributions, to the disappointment of some 100 employees that filled the House lobby and chamber on Capital Hill.

The override action on Gov. Benigno R. Fitial's veto of the compromise House Bill 17-226 got only 11 "yes" votes. This was short by three "yes" votes to meet the required 14 votes or two-thirds of the 20-member House.

Six House members voted "no" to the override, while three members were absent.

"We tried very hard but we didn't make it," Speaker Eli Cabrea (R-Saipan), author of HB 17-226, said at the end of the session.

Rep. Teresita Santos (Ind-Rota) was excused from the session owing to the death of her...

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, May 31, 2012) – A former Papua New Guinea minister of transport, Don Polye, says the owner of a passenger ferry whose sinking off the Morobe coast is thought to have killed more than 200 people asked for shipping laws to be relaxed.

Hearings before a Commission of Inquiry into the February sinking of the Rabaul Queen conclude next week following eight weeks of testimony including accusations of overcrowding and incompetence.

The shipping company’s owner, Peter Sharp, has told the commission he bears no responsibility for the disaster and that it was an act of God.

Mr. Polye says during his time as transport minister Mr. Sharp asked him not to establish the National Maritime Safety Authority.

HAGÃ TÃA, Guam (Pacific Daily News, June 1, 2012) – Most tax refunds owed to Guam taxpayers for the 2011 tax year may be paid in the next few weeks.

Gov. Eddie Calvo yesterday said he will ask the Legislature to pass a bill so about $33 million in tax refund money that has been set aside by law for next year will be used for tax refunds owed this year.

If the Legislature agrees, the total amount of money available for tax refunds will be approximately $93 million. That means most of the estimated $105 million in refunds owed for the 2011 tax year would be paid.

About $60 million will be available for tax refunds as soon as next week, as a result of the local government's latest borrowing from the bond market. The bond money is expected to be electronically transferred into a government of Guam bank account by Wednesday. Tax refund checks could be released in the mail as...

RAROTONGA, Cook Islands (Cook Islands News, May 29, 2012) – An illegal Indonesian visitor was expelled from the Cook Islands last night after being found to be connected to an organized Indonesian crime network.

Immigration Cook Islands threw the man out after he confessed to travelling on airline tickets purchased with a stolen credit card.

Immigration director Kave Ringi told Cook Islands News that investigations by his officers have revealed that up to 20 tickets to Rarotonga have been purchased with stolen credit cards.

Several people have been in and out of the country since the ring started its operation, and the latest is Raedy Rahman Hakim who was arrested last Wednesday.

Hakim was picked up from his motel in Arorangi by officers last Thursday morning and was interviewed about his identity and the manner in which he obtained his ticket. Hakim did not require an interpreter...

HONIARA, Solomon Islands (Solomon Star, June 1, 2012) – Opposition Leader Hon. Dr. Derek Sikua has expressed concern that the style of leadership portrayed by Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo will not at all deliver the National Coalition for Reform and Advancement (NCRA) Government’s expected outcomes of its policies.

Dr. Sikua made this call amidst clarification by the Prime Minister that he will not produce any new policy document and implementation strategy, but will remain committed to the original NCRA policy documents.

He said that he is still not convinced by the Prime Minister’s response now that the Prime Minister had initially announced changes and improvements to the original NCRA policy.

"That is precisely the point and the Prime Minister should systematically specify the changes or improvements that he has referred to.

PORT VILA, Vanuatu (Vanuatu Daily Post, May 31, 2012) –The person suspected being behind the masterminding of criminal activities around Port Vila has been arrested by Police. His identity is not yet released by Police.

Arresting the suspected Criminal ringleader was a huge breakthrough for the week long Police operation to recapture escaped high-risk inmates and crackdown on criminal activities in the Capital.

There have been 44 arrests since the launching of the operation including 3 of the escapees but it is yet unclear whether the suspected criminal master-minder was one of the escapees.

Another possible suspect would be ex-prisoners whom Daily Post understands some were apprehended by Police in connection to harboring escapees and recent criminal activities.

"The police would like to assure the public not to have fear. The main person who has been master minding the criminal...

KOROR, Palau (Island Times, May 31, 2012) – Supreme Court Associate Justice Alexandra Foster denied yesterday the motion of the national government to stop the Koror State Government for implementing of the new permit fees for Rock Island use and Jellyfish Lake visits which will be effective today.

The Attorney General’s Office has earlier filed a motion in court seeking a temporary restraining order against the planned increase.

The government has argued that the looming increase is a violation of 40 PNC 2012.

40 PNC 2012states that "no enactment of a state government which would impose a tax, charge or fee shall be effective unless enactment shall contain detailed description of the activity, purchase, or other purposes to be accomplished with the revenue to be generated thereby, and a specific date of termination of such tax, charge, or fee reflecting the...

Pacific Islands Report is a nonprofit news publication of the Pacific Islands Development Program at the East-West Center in Honolulu, Hawai‘i. Offered as a free service to readers, PIR provides an edited digest of news, commentary and analysis from across the Pacific Islands region, Monday - Friday.